Aston Villa are leading the race to sign 30-year-old defensive midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia ahead of next season.
According to a report by Fichajes, Aston Villa are keen on having Geoffrey Kondogbia in their ranks ahead of next season. The 30-year-old’s game time at Atletico Madrid has suffered in the ongoing season and he might be on his way out in the summer.
Kondogbia joined Atletico Madrid back in the winter of 2020 from Valencia. He was a key part of Diego Simeone’s team in the initial years but has fallen down in the pecking order in the ongoing season.
The former Valencia midfielder made 39 appearances for Simeone’s team last season. He had a total of 2,602 minutes under his belt. Those numbers have gone down significantly in the current campaign with the 30-year-old getting 1,348 minutes in 23 matches.
Atletico Madrid have been struggling in the ongoing season. Simeone’s men were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League group stage as they finished fourth in their group. They don’t really have a chance to win any title in the ongoing season. And, Simeone will look to bring in reinforcement ahead of next season to improve their situation.
Meanwhile, Kondogbia has been subject to continuous substitution by the Madrid boss. While his contract at the club ends in the summer of 2024, he is likely to be sold in the summer. His departure could raise a significant amount that could be invested to improve the team as a whole.
Aston Villa are interested in the 30-year-old. Villa have had their own struggles in the ongoing campaign. However, they have managed to recover of late. They are currently 11th in the Premier League thanks to their new manager Unai Emery who took charge in late October last year. Emery has worked with the midfielder before at Sevilla.
Emery has done a decent job so far. And, he will be keen to add a few players to his ranks in order to do better next season. The Villa boss has identified Kondogbia as a key transfer target. His arrival will bolster their midfield and give them more stability in the centre of the park.
Aston Villa are ready to pay €25 million to secure the services of the 30-year-old. And with him falling down the pecking order at Madrid, it might not be that big a task for the Premier League club to prise him away ahead of next season.
